Separator



F'. PARDEE SEPARATOR Filed May 22, 1936 Oct; 5, 1937.

3 Sheets-Sheet l llrlllll INVENTOR.

BY ATTORNEYS INVENTOR.

F. PARDEE SEPARATOR Filed May 22, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ik/lm/rfiq/Pofz.

BY-Z 6 2 ATTORNEYS Oct. 5, 1937.

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Patented Oct. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES SEPARATOR- Frank Pardee, Hazleton, Pa., assignor to Anthracite Separator Company, Hazleton, Pa., a. corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application May 22, 1936, Serial No. 81,150

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements, in spiral separators of the type adapted to separate materials of differing bulk weights and frictional characteristics, such as coal andslate. A char- 5 acteristic feature of the present improvement resides in the provision of a chamber following the spiral runway and provided with novel means in the form of a coil defining ports, whereby fluid can be discharged outwardly along the spiral outline, or edge of said chamber.

A further feature resides in the provision of depressed portions along the runway, which combined with the action of the fluid pressure tend to change the rate of travel of the material 15 as it flows thereover.

A further feature of the present invention relates to the interposition of a coil between the runway surface and plates spaced therefrom, the convolutions of the coiled element forming outlines of ports through which a fluid is discharged from the chamber between the runway and said plates. 7

Another feature refers to the provision of a hollow supporting column for a spiral separator 25 having a series of spirally arranged ports discharging into a chamber following the line of the runway, said column having nested therein a sleeve valve for controlling the outlet area of the ports in the column. The above and other n claimed features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings-- Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section illustrating one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 1 is a detail View; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view; Fig. 3 is a detail section on line 33 40 of Fig. 2 Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail illustrating the convolutions of a coiled portforming member arranged to direct fluid jets in one predetermined degree of angularity with respect to the edge formed by a plate thereabove;

45 Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating a reversely coiled port-forming element adapted to direct jets at an angle opposite to that shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detail edge view of Fig. 5; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail views of alternative 50 forms of port defining coils.

Referring in detail to the drawings, [0 represents a hollow uprightsupporting column having a base H and a cap l2 secured to an overhead support IS. Fluid, such as compressed air 55 or steam, is suppliedto the interior of the colher 22.

umn by a pipe [4 having a control valve [5 therein. Rotatably mounted within the hollow column, there' is a sleeve valve l6 adapted to be turned by a handle, a shank l8 of which rides in a spirally inclined slot I'll, so that as thesleeve is turned within the column, it also moveslongitudinally thereof with a spiral motion. The sleeve valve is formed with a plurality of spirally arranged openings 20, which coact with spirally arranged orifices 2|, opening into a spiral cham- 10 The lower face of this chamber is defined by a plurality of jacket plates 23, which form the runway surface, these plates being secured by flush head screws 24 to outwardly extending rods 25 carried by the column I0. The upper portion of the chamber 22 is formed by a series of ,jacket plates 26, which near their inner ends are spaced from the plate 23 by small pillars 27 and which at their outer ends are spaced from the runway jacket plates 23 bya coiled port forming member 28 which resembles a spring. 7

Heating means, such as an electric heating element E controlled by a rheostat R, serves to heat. the air or fluid delivered to the chamber 22. A steam coil or other heat element can similarly be used. H

The outer edge 29 of the 'plates 26 lies in a spirally extending line, which is spaced a considerable distance radially inward from the outer 3 spiral edge 36 of the runway jacket plates 23. The normal operating surface of the runway lies between the edges 29 and 30. At intervals along the runway surface, I provide depressed portions 3| substantially triangular in plan, as

shown in Fig. 2. These depressed portions form surfaces 32, which are of a less steep inclination than the normal runway surface. 'Said depressions are formed by making a slit or cut 33 in the runway jacket plates. 40

Due to the relative disposition of the depressed portions and the normal runway surface, as a lump L of material slides down the normal'runway surface and into the depression, its rate of travel will be somewhat decreased. This rate of travel will be further varied, in accordance with the present invention by the angularity at which a fluid jet is directed from the chamber 22. This angularity of the jets, as indicated for example in Fig. 2 by the arrows 1:, may be in a generally upward and outward direction. Such a jet direction can be conveniently and effectively secured by proper disposition of the convolutions of the coiled port-forming element 28.

To secure the angularity. indicated in Figs. 2 '55 and 4, I will employ a coil whose convolutions progress in a right hand direction. Or, as indicated in Fig. 5, I may employ a coil whose convolutions progress in a left hand direction. Thus, the arrows at in Figs. 1 and 4 may be said to direct the jets in a direction whose angularity with respect to the peripheral edge 29 of the ridge is opposite to that of arrows m' in Fig. .5. Expressed in another way, the convolutions of the coil in Fig. 5 correspond to a right handed screw thread or helix and the convolutionsin Fig. 5 resemble a left handed screw thread or helix. The coil 28, therefore, may be defined as a coiled port defining member, it being appreciated that the spaces between the adjacent convolutions of the coil constitute ports for the escape of fluid from the spirally extending chamber 22. This coil thus serves the double function of a port defining member and a spacing member for maintaining the proper relationship between the outer edge of the plates 26 and the normal runway surface of the jackets 3|.

.The coil 28 may be formed of wire of different cross sectional shapes. For example, in Figs. 5 to 7, it is shown formed of rectangular or square cross section. In Fig. 8, the coil 28 is illustrated as being formed of Wire of triangular cross section. In Fig. 9, as indicated at 28 the coil is formed of wire of elliptical cross section. By varying the cross sectional shape of the wire, it will be appreciated that I can secure various predetermined'degrees of angularity and can other with influence the direction in which the fluid jets escape from between the convolutions of the coil. a

In this way, I can compensate for varying frictional characteristics and bulk weights of coal and slate, or other materials. And further nicety of separating action and control is secured by reason of the combination of the sleeve valve for varying the areas of the outlet orifices through venient means for forming a multiplicity of slitlike ports along a spiral line in such a way that a desired angularity of discharge through the ports can be secured. Such coiled port-forming member also has 'the advantage of flexibility, which lends for ease'in installation and it is sufiiciently flexible to compensate for differences in spacing between the plates 26 and the runway jackets 23, which occur where such plates overlap one another. 7

In normal operation, the mixed material, such as coal and slate, are fed to the runway near the upper end thereof. The slate or high friction heavier material, which is of relatively flat fracture, gradually works its way inward and the coal, which is a relatively low friction material and which is lighter and of a more concoidal or lump-like fracture works its way toward the outer portion of the spiral runway. And in some cases an outer special spiral conveyor thread 38 is provided .for catching the separated coal, which flies off the runway. The plates 26 merely form a wall of the chamber andare not intended to provide a separating surface. But, any slate which may climb over onto the plates 26 will merely run down to the lower end of the separator and be discharged into a suitable bin with the slate coming to the inner zone of the runway.

And the coal will be discharged from the outer zone of the runway as well as from the conveyor thread 38.

The provision of the depressed portions 3| is arator is designed. For example, in handling the grade of coal known as egg coa1,-the transverse width at the upper end of the depressions will be slightly greater than the normal size of such egg coal lumps.

While handling smaller sizes, such as pea coal, the transverse width of the depressions will be somewhat less to suit this particular grade. Thus, it will be appreciated that the size of the depressed portions 3| is such that, as an individual lump travels down the runway, it can be accommodated momentarily at different inter- Vals, in such depressed areas. Hence, considering an individual lump falling into the depressed area, it is clear that the rate oftravel over such area will differ from its normal rate of travel over the normal inwardly inclined spiral runway surface. This difference in rate of travel has a certain retarding action. And combined with'this retarding action, there is also the action of the air jets discharged radially or upwardly and outwardly over the runway surface.

There is thus secured a combined or coordinated action, as the air jet tends to push the lumb broadside or laterally up the surface of the depressed surface or area 3|, while gravity and centrifugal force are also acting thereon;

The coordinated effects of these functional factors enables me to secure an extremelyefiicient separating action, which action is not secured by the use of the depressions alone, or is not secured by the mere discharging of fluid jets along the runway.

The air jets discharged over the runway surface may be heated periodically so as to evaporate moisture precipitated thereon either from the atmosphere, or from the material when the latter is received by the separator in a wet state. A separator designed to handle dry materials is not as efficient when the runway surface thereof becomes wetted, for example, by dew, or moisture from the air on a humid day. Thus, the periodic discharge of.heat jets will compensate for this condition. Also it will be apparent that, when wet materials are handled, the heated air jets can be utilized to dry the same substantially continuously and to atthe same time maintain the runway surface in a dry state.

While I have described quite specifically certain details of the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated it is to be understood that va- 5 coil disposed along the spiral line adjacent the outer edges of the short series of plates, the two series of plates and coil jointly defining a spiral chamber and the convolutions of the coil defining a multiplicity of ports opening outwardly from the chamber, a hollow upright supporting the runway and having orifices therein communicat ing with the chamber and a fluid supply pipe communicating with said hollow upright.

2. A separator comprising a spiral runway including an upper and lower spiral seriesof respectively short and long plates, a port forming 'coi'l diSpos'ed along the spiralline adjacent the outer edges of the short series of plates, the two series of plates and coil jointly defining a spiral chamber and the convolutions'of the coil defining a multiplicity of ports opening outwardly from the chamber, a hollow upright supporting the runway and having orifices therein communicating with the chamber, a fluid supply pipe communicating with said hollow upright and a sleeve valve having openings coacting with said orifices for varying the eifective fluid outlet thereof.

3. A separator comprising an upper series of relatively short spirally arranged plates, at lower series of relatively longer spirally arranged plates having portions thereof underlying said shorter plates, a coil disposed between the upper and lower series of plates and lying substantially along the spiral line of the upper series of plates, the two series of plates and the coil jointly defining a spiral chamber and the convolutions of the coil defining a multiplicity of ports opening outwardly onto the lower series of plates, a central hollow upright supporting both series of plates and having orifices therein communicating with the spiral chamber defined by the plates, and a valve sleeve having spirally arranged openings therein for coaction with said orifices and means for moving the sleeve relatively to the upright so as to simultaneously control the flow of fluid from the interior of the upright to said chamber at a multiplicity of points therealong.

4. A separator comprising a spiral runway, plates defining a chamber extending along the runway, a port forming coil separating the plates at their outer ends, a hollow upright supporting the runway and having orifices therein communicating with said chamber, a fluid supply pipe communicating with said hollow uprightand a valve sleeve having a series of spirally arranged openings therein for coaction with said orifices, said column having a spirally inclined slot therein, and means passing through said slot and secured to said sleeve for imparting a spiral movement to the sleeve.

5. A separator comprising a plurality of jackets forming a spiral runway, a hollow column carrying supporting means for the runway, a plurality of plates spaced above the runway and whose outer edges are spaced radially inward from the outer edges of the jackets, orifices in the hollow column communicating with the chamber between said jackets and said plates, means for supplying fluid to the hollow column and a spirally arranged coil following the spiral outline of the outer edges of said plates, the convolutions of said coil being arranged to control the angular direction in which fluid is ejected from the space between said plates and said jackets.

6. A separator comp-rising a plurality of jackets forming a spiral runway, a hollow column carrying supporting means for the runway, a plurality of plates spaced above the runway and whose outer edges are spaced radially inward from, the outer edges of the jackets, orifices in the hollow column communicating with the chamber between said jackets and said plates, means for supplying fluid to the hollow column, a spirally arranged coil following the spiral outline of the outer edges of said plates, the convolutions of said coil being arranged to control the angular direction in which fluid is ejected from the space between said plates and said jackets, and a sleeve valve having openings therein coacting with the orifices in the column for controlling the supply of fluidto the chamber between saidplates and said jackets.

7:. A separator comprising a plurality of jackets forminga spiral runway, ahollow column carrying supporting means for the runway, a plurality of plates spaced above the runway and whose outer edges are spaced radially inward from the outer edges of the jackets, orifices in the hollow column communicating with the chamber between sa id jackets and said plates, means for supplying fluid to the hollow column and a spirally arranged coil following the spiral outline of the outer edges of said plates, the convolutions of said coil being arranged to control the angular direction in which fluid is ejected from the space between said plates and said jackets, said jackets having depressed portions adapted in conjunction with the said ejected fluid to vary the rate of travel of material traveling along the runway.

8. A spiral separator of the character described comprising a hollow column, means for supplying fluid thereto, a multiplicity of orifices formed in said column, a sleeve valve having respective openings therein for coaction with said orifices, means for moving said sleeve relatively to said column, a plurality of jackets supported by the column, a plurality of plates whose outer edges are spaced radially inward from the outer edges of said jackets, a coiled member interposed between the upper surface of said jackets and the outer edges of said plates, the convolutions of said coiled member defining a multiplicity of.

fluid outlet ports adapted'to influence the direction in which the fluid is discharged from the chamber between said jackets and said plates.

9. A spiral separator of the character described comprising a hollow column, means for supplying fluid thereto, a multiplicity of spirally arranged orifices formed in said column, an inner sleeve having respective spirally arranged openings therein for coaction with said orifices, means for moving said sleeve relatively to said column, a plurality of jackets supported by the column, a plurality of plates whose outer edges are spaced radially inward from the outer edges of said jackets, a coiled member interposed between the upper surface of said jackets and the outer edges of said plates, the convolutions of said coiled member defining a multiplicity of fluid outlet ports controlling the angularity at which the fluid is discharged from the chamber between said jackets and said plates, said jackets having depressed portions adapted in conjunction with the fluid discharged from the ports formed by the convolutions of said coil to vary the rate of travel of lumps along the runway.

10. A spiral separator of the character described comprising a hollow column, means for supplying fluid thereto, a runway including a plurality of jackets having depressed portions of an area large enough to momentarily and successively accommodate individual lumps of the particular size which the separator is designed to handle and adapted to vary the rate of travel of the lumps along the runway and means for discharging the fluid jets outwardly along the surface of the runway in a direction adapted to' influence such rate of travel. 7

111 A spiral separator of the character described comprising a hollow column, means for supplying fluid thereto, means for raising the temperature of said fluid, a spiral runway, plates defining a chamber extending along the inner portion of the runway, a port forming coil separating said. plates at their outer ends, said column having a plurality of orifices, and a sleeve having openings therein coacting with said orifices to vary the supply of fluid to the chamber.

'12. A spiral separator of the character described comprising a hollow column, means for supplyingfluid thereto, means for heating such fluid, a runway including a plurality of jackets supported by the column, a coil-like port forming member, a plurality of plateshwhose inner edges are spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the 'runwayiand which are spaced from the runway surface by said port forming member, and means controlling the passage of heated fluid from the hollow column to the chamber between V the runway and said plates.

FRANK PARDEE; 

